Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for heating and cooling buildings, particularly chickenhouses, wherein low grade heat is obtained from below the frost line and, by heat exchange means, the low grade heat is used to heat or cool air which is then ducted into the building. This conditioned air circulates within the building and exits through horizontal vents extending substantially continuously around the periphery of the building near the floor thereof, which vents connect the inside of the building to vertical open wall channels within the walls of the building. The wall channels are connected at the top of the walls to similar channels in the roof of the building and into which the air passes. Exhaust means connected to the roof channels allow the air to exit to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Low grade heat is supplied to heat air which is used to provide an insulating sheath for a building or the like. The low grade heat is obtained from the ground below the hard frost line from either air or water, or from solar collectors, biomass or any other suitable source of such heat, and is used to heat air which is then circulated in a space within the walls of the building, thereby maintaining the internal temperature within the walls at approximately 45.degree.-65.degree. F. The air insulating sheath so provided reduces the driving force which takes heat out of the building in winter and which permits heat entry in summer. The energy required to bring the internal building temperature to a comfortable degree in winter or summer is thereby drastically reduced, as is the cost associated therewith.